Pakistan Surrenders with a Whitewash in Hamilton

A draw was the most probable result before the last session started. The match could have been hard for Pakistan but not impossible. The hardest part was the winning of New Zealand. But with flying bowling and insipid batting from Pakistan led the match for a dramatic win for New Zealand!

In last session New Zealand trashed Pakistan by 138 runs having 9 wickets at hand in Hamilton. This makes the series victory for the host in the 2 match series with 2-0 win. This also means 32 years long wait after the last series win for New Zealand.

Last time New Zealand won a series against Pakistan was back in 1985. After that 12 series played in home ground and overseas was unsuccessful. Pakistan won 7 series and the rest 5 were drawn. Kane Williamson’s team changed the scenario. Williamson got the first ever victory in home ground.

On Tuesday Pakistan needed 368 runs to win the match. Pakistan did not want to chase the impossible. Instead, Azhar Ali and Saami Aslam were trying to save the match. Fine batting from the opening partnership laid a nice foundation for Pakistan.

Two openers spent 60 overs in the crease. They could not add much but paved the path to draw for the team. The first break through came from Mitchell Santer. He broke the opening partnership of 131 run sending Azhar to pavilion. Pakistan captain made 58 runs staying more than four hours in the crease.

Aslam was alive then too. Babar Azam who made a 90 in previous match was also there. Before tea break Pakistan was 158-1.

In last session Pakistan needed 211 runs with 9 wickets at hand. 9 wickets and almost 34 overs were still to be played. Draw was a matter of time only. Yet New Zealand won when there was still 10 overs left. With the second new ball, 6 wickets fell just within 11 overs!

After tea break, Santer again hit. He sent off Babar in the first over. After a tremendous fight of 5 hours and making 91 runs from 238 balls, Aslam went off the grass giving catch to Tim Southee in mid off.

The hazard was yet to be recognized. The second new ball worked like magic for New Zealand win. One after one wicket fell. Yunus khan failed again for whom the series was already a nightmare. Pakistan lost the last wicket in just 48 runs.

Neil Wagner trimmed the tail by taking 3 wickets in just 6 balls. Known for not showing emotion, Kane Williamson even burst out in joy which mirrors how much the kiwi’s wanted the win.

Tim Southee was declared man of the match. Southee bagged 8 wickets including 6 in first innings.